This week is opening week for the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine. Of course the baseball season began over a week ago, although the Dodgers have been on the road since then.

Monday will mark the club’s first game at home, in their 52nd year at Dodger Stadium.

[view:node_ad=5]After three games against the newly beefed up pitching of the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers will host the Colorado Rockies. All the while, special events will be highlighted every night.

• Monday, April 13 – Opening Day
• Tuesday, April 14 – Under the Lights
• Wednesday, April 15 – Opening Night/Salute to Jackie Robinson
• Thursday, April 16 – Salute to UCLA
• Friday, April 17 – Friday Night Fireworks/Super ‘70s Night
• Saturday, April 18 – On-Field Photo Day
• Sunday, April 19 – Santa Clarita Dodger day and “Kids Run the Bases”

Opening Day, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, features an international theme.  Celebrating the Dodgers’ pioneering efforts around the world, flags of more than 30 countries with whom the Dodgers have relationships will wave in pre-game ceremonies.

The young, internationally-renowned singer, Charice, will perform the National Anthem.  The 16-year-old Filipina has performed at the Presidential inauguration events and on “Oprah.”

Another singer of international renown, N’Kenge, who also performed at an inaugural ball, will perform God Bless America during the 7th Inning Stretch.  A protégé of legendary Motown creator Berry Gordy, Jr., who will accompany her to the game, the trained opera star is a product of The Julliard School and sings fluently in 10 languages.

Hall of Famer Vin Scully, beginning his 60th year with the Dodgers, will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch.

In addition to the international elements, the club will celebrate the United States.  A giant American flag across the outfield will be held by more than 150 uniformed personnel from the Joint Services, which will include Marines and Navy.  A B2 Spirit will fly over Dodger Stadium at the end of the National Anthem, and the club will honor decorated U.S. Army veteran Jesus “Jesse” De La Cruz, of Menifee in Riverside County , who suffered severe wounds at war in Iraq while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. Still in active service, the lifelong Dodgers fan will present the ball to Scully.

Tuesday, April 14, “Under the Lights”

While the team is off Tuesday, April 14, the Dodgers present, “Under the Lights,” at 6 p.m.  The third edition of this event features a limited number of fans taking batting practice on the field, throwing in the bullpen, running the bases, all amid an atmosphere of food, drink, music, and appearances by Dodgers personalities.  For more information, visit www.dodgers.com/underthelights.  

Wednesday, April 15, Opening Night

On Opening Night, the Dodgers will honor Jackie Robinson on the anniversary of his breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. All uniformed personnel will wear Robinson’s number, 42, for the third year in a row. The Dodgers will also recognize a group of Dodgers Scholars, 42 students who receive college scholarships from the Dodgers Dream Foundation, which donates $105,000 each year to the Jackie Robinson Foundation for the program.

Grammy-nominated singer Eric Benet, nominated for Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, will sing the National Anthem.

Dodger legend and Special Advisor to the Chairman Don Newcombe, who along with Robinson and Roy Campanella helped to integrate Major League Baseball and start the civil rights movement, will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch.

The Joint Services, which will include the Coast Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, will present the colors.

Thursday, April 16, Salute to UCLA

UCLA Night is Thursday, April 16.  Expecting a group of UCLA students, the Dodgers will pay tribute to the university pre-game and in-game, and will have the UCLA ROTC present the colors.

In addition, a group of 100 women wearing kimonos designed by renowned kimono designer Nobuaki Tomita will also be in attendance at Thursday’s game. The women, who have traveled here from all areas of Japan , will watch batting practice on the field and present regional gifts to members of the team before the game. Mr. Tomita, who will be dressed in a kimono as well, will throw a Ceremonial First Pitch. Los Angeles ‘ Consulate General of Japan and the Japan America Society are both supporting Mr. Tomita’s visit to Los Angeles and his kimono will bear the Japan America Society’s 100th anniversary logo.

Juan Pierre will host a group of children on the field during batting practice as part of his personal community initiative, Pierre’s Pack. The children from the Woodcraft Rangers, a group that provides innovative and creative programs for children of under-served areas of Los Angeles , will receive a T-shirt and dinner courtesy of Panda Express.

Friday, April 17, Friday Night Fireworks:  Super ‘70s Night

Friday Night Fireworks debut with a ‘70s theme.  This season, each Friday home game will be followed by a fireworks show and as in years past, fans will be permitted to come down to the field after the final out of the game.  Fans who dress in ‘70s style will be eligible for special prizes during the game.

The Dodgers Dream Foundation will hold a silent auction on the club level and will also sell tickets to Carne Asada Sunday, hosted by Andre Ethier, and limited edition Russell Martin autographed bats.

Several schools from the Salute 2 Schools program, an initiative designed to help area schools with their fundraising efforts, will also be recognized during pregame ceremonies. Schools in attendance will include Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts, The Mirman School, and Kester Avenue Elementary.

James Loney will host a group of children from the RBI- Los Angeles program as part of his personal community initiative, Loney’s Lounge. As part of the program, which Loney started last season, each child will receive a Loney’s Lounge T-shirt and a ticket to the game in the exclusive Baseline Box seats and will get to watch batting practice on the field and meet the Dodger first baseman.

Saturday, April 18, On-Field Photo Day

Saturday is the annual On-Field Photo Day, in which fans who arrive early get to step onto the field to take pictures of their favorite Dodgers.

Before the game, Dodgers WIN (Women’s Initiative Network) will launch its “Community WINners” program by honoring the Cypress Cyclones, a youth girls soccer team. When the Cyclones qualified for the state finals by default because the team that beat them could not afford the trip, the Cyclones raised the money for their opponents to take their rightful spot in the championship game, rather than go themselves. 

Several schools from the Salute 2 Schools program will also be recognized during pregame ceremonies.

Sunday, April 19, Jr. Dodgers Kids Run the Bases

Sundays are Kids Appreciation Days at Dodger Stadium this season.  This Sunday, members can pick up their new Jr. Dodgers ID cards and lanyards in the pre-game Center Field Experience. Kids who come early wearing their lanyard and ID card may be picked for such experiences as Kids Take the Field, the chance to announce “It’s Time for Dodger Baseball,” and special access during Kids Run the Bases.

Sunday is also the launch of the Jr. Dodgers pin-trading program.  New Jr. Dodgers pins will be available in all merchandise stores at Dodger Stadium and online at dodgers.com. More information can be found online at dodgers.com/jrdodgers. 

Santa Clarita Dodger day will take place on Sunday as well, with many Santa Clarita residents in attendance.

The Center Field Experience will once again feature face painting and a stilt walker, balloon artist, magician, and live band.

Pregame ceremonies on Sunday include a Little League parade, featuring teams from Montebello Baseball Association, San Marino National Little League, Duarte Youth Athletic Club, and Norwalk Girls Softball Lights. The City of Santa Clarita Valley Little League will also hold its annual home run derby in the outfield before the game.

The crew of the USS Stockdale, which will be commissioned into the US Navy on April 18, will be recognized on the field before Sunday’s game as well.

The Dodgers Dream Foundation will hold a silent auction on the club level and will also sell tickets to Carne Asada Sunday, hosted by Andre Ethier, and limited edition Russell Martin autographed bats.

After the game, children 14 and under can run the bases at Dodger Stadium as part of Jr. Dodgers Kids Run the Bases. Fans can enter the field from the center field gate.  

Throughout the homestand, fans can also purchase new fan packs from field and loge level merchandise stores, and all purchases of $40 or more will come with a free World of Dodgertown t-shirt or hat.